Man City fans protest against season ticket prices as club explain banner removal

Manchester City fans continued their attack on the club's recent season ticket price rise by unfurling a banner ahead of kick-off against Arsenal.

City announced a season ticket increase for next season earlier this month at an average of five per cent. That follows similar rises for nearly every year in the last decade.

It's prompted an angry response from some sections of the fanbase and supporter groups. A banner was displayed prior to kick-off against Arsenal in the Premier League which read: Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting our loyalty.

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The banner was only briefly up before Etihad stewards moved over to remove it and the 1894 group, who had arranged the protest, said it had been confiscated.

But City officials said the banner will be returned to the supporters. It is understood that stewards moved in to remove the banner because it was covering an advertising board and part of the scoreboard, which City insist is against club policy, a point that has been relayed to all supporters' groups who bring banners to the stadium.

After the protest, the 1894 group called on the club to talk to fans "instead of going all defensive." City fan groups have accused the club of trying to price loyal supporters out of their seats. The latest rise is in line with inflation and similar to what other Premier League clubs are doing, but that has seen little sympathy from the supporters who are being asked to pay more to watch their team while the club records record profits and revenues

Nobody from the club has spoken publicly about the price rises and fan groups